Device for breaking frangible material



57am 3, W6? E. W. FLETCHER 39295977@ DEVICE FOR BREAKING FRANGIBLE MATERIAL Filed May 28, 1964 "iE-'Q1 EL HAH United States Patent filice 'assent Patented Jan.. 3, 1967 3,295,770 DEVICE EUR BREAKING FRANGIBLE MATEAL Elmer W. Fletcher, Ross, (Ehio (410i) Layhigll Road, Hamilton, @bio 450143) Filed May 28, 1964. Ser. No. 371,043 7 Claims. (Cl. 24k-99) This invention relates to devices for breaking frangible materials and tubing and in particular, relates to a device for fragmentizing fluorescent tubes.

An object of this invention is to provide for a device for destroying fluorescent lighting tubes or other frangible objects used and spent in an environment necessitating such action; such as in industrial plants in which a problem exists in 4disposing of spent fluorescent lighting tubes or the like, bottling plants, or plants of a nature in which the disposal of frangible material of all shapes and forms creates maintenance, safety, sanitary, storage, or health-hazard problems.

Another object of this invention is to provide for reduction in the bulk of spent frangible articles whereby easier handling in disposing of same results.

A further object of this invention is to remove healthhazards and unsafe conditions created by the danger of bursting by implosion of a s-pent fluorescent tube, which has been so much experienced in disposing of the whole tube as such in the past.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simply constructed, portable, conveniently operated, and inexpensive apparatus that is highly efficient and effective, and one whose construction is durable and lasting without the necessity of service, maintenance, or repair thereon during a long life expectancy.

These and other objects of the invention will be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, -by a complete and full reading of the following description and appended claims thereto, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, made a part of this specification for Letters Patent, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the device in open position, showing phantom tubing set in proper position for destructive action thereon;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, partly broken away and in section, coupled with a refuse container (for fragmentized tubing shown in phantom lines);

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, however, showing the device in operation; and

PIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of operating elements of the device.

Referring now to the drawing in which character references therein correspond to like references herein, the figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of the inven tion which comprises a device having a set of spaced ribs or blades 11 fixed relative to each other -by a suitable frame such as flanges 12, 13 provide-d along and across the top and base ends, respectively, of the set of ribs 11. Ribs 11 are welded or' otherwise suitably secured to flanges 12, 13, along their back and vertical edges opposite their vertical actional edges 14 across which frangible material is drawn. The ribs 11 are suit` ably formed from rigid thin rectangular metal plates, not necessarily sharp along their actional edges, but preferably thin enough to eifect an efficient point force action against frangible material by cooperation with fragmentizing means hereinafter described. The side faces of the plates are arranged in parallel fashion, and as shown in FIGS. l, 2, immediately adjacent plates are not necessarily equally spaced one from another. For breaking of tubing shorter in length, device 10 may include two or more spaced ribs, as shown in the right portion thereof in FIGS. l, 2, against which shorter length tubing registers, shown in the shorter phantom tubing outlines. In the remainder of device 10, ribs 11 may be spaced at larger and/or equal intervals as desired.

Each set of ribs is not necessarily limited to two spaced plates, as shown in FIG. 5, and may include any desired number of plates arranged in parallel fashion, depending upon the size of construction of device 1t) and the kinds of frangible material to be fragmentized.

A rotatable shaft means is provided across the arranged set of ribs, and comprises a shaft 1S mounted and carried in a series of apertures 16 (FIG. 3) in the plates, the axes of the apertures being coincident with one another throughout the length over which the set of ribs 11 extends. Each aperture 16 is provided preferably in the lower most portion of a rib 11 so as to provide for shaft 15 in the lower portion of ribs 11. The shaft means extends the full length of the set of ribs, and preferably is constructed perpendicular to the planes of such ribs, and at right angles to actional edges 14 thereon. Means 4such as a hand wheel 13, or other suitable power means such as a motor, is securely mounted at the one end of shaft 15, to provide convenient motive power by which it is capable of being rotated.

Fragmentizing means is provided in device 1l), and which cooperate with a set of ribs 11 to fragmentize frangible tubing. Each of such means comprises a exible link chain Zt) having its lower one end securely attached to shaft 15 and disposed at a fixed point between, preferably midway between, the facing surfaces of immediately adjacent ribs l1. Its elevated other end is securely attached at a second point xed relative to immediately adjacent actional edges 14, and at a position substantially above and preferably in the same vertical plane with the rst mentioned fixed point. Each link chain 2t) is provided with suicient length constituting slack that extends into and is disposable in a cavity or spacial region 23 adjacent to a geometrical plane P formed along and at actional edges 1&1 in (FIG. 3). Cavity 23 opposes the line of plates forming the set of ribs 11 on the opposite side of plane P. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, -such slack provides for` support of frangible tubing or material in spacial region 23 incident to fracturing operation thereon.

The preferred positions of the ends of each link chain 2li are located in vertical alignment with respect to each other and disposed to the side of plane P opposite to the side `of plane P in which spacial region 23 is disposed. A highly efficient operation of device 1t) results therefrom, as distinguished from the case where the elevated xed point for the one end of link chain 20 were disposed to the same side of plane P as cavity 23.

In the illustrated embodiment, the seccnd fixed and elevate-d point for link ch-ain Ztl is provided by means of a rod 35i mounted in ialiffned bearing recesses 31 each of which is disposed in the upper edge -of a rib 11. Rod 3@ extends lengthwise of the set of ribs 11 in the same similar manner as rotatable shaft 15, and is stationarily positioned rather than rotatable. The elevated end of each link chain 2d is securely attached at a point on rod 3i) preferably substantially in vertical alignment to a corresponding lower fixed point on shaft 15 at which the other end of link chain 20 is securely attached. Each of such attachments may be made by a weld or other suitable means by which end links are secured to collars 33, 34 mounted -on shaft 15 and rod 30, respectively, and secured thereto by means of a tightened Allen screw in each collar.

In the instant embodiment, rod 30 is rigidly secured to and spaced from the underside of a hinged lid or cover 35 of a housing 36 provided for the operational elements of device 1d. Rod 3l) is suitably spacedly secured, 'at its ends, from the underside of lid 35 by means of journals 37 suitably att-ached to the underside thereof.

Housing 36 is provided as a suitable enclosure for and includes, as noted, structure appurtenant to the breaking mechanism elements of device and comprises a sheet metal construction including side walls 40, 41, end walls 42, 43, ian open bottom 44, and hinged lid or cover 35 having a downwardly depending flange 45 adapted to register with and exteriorly engage the side and end walls thereof, as shown in FIG. 4 with respect to side wall 40. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, each fragmentizing means utilized in device il@ is disposed between a pair of immediately adjacent ribs 11, and is preferably centered therebetween as shown in FIGS. l, 2. The ends of each link chain 20 are disposed in direct vertical alignment with respect to each other, and lying to the same side of a geometrical plane P coincident with the actional edges 14.

ln operation, housing 36 is opened by swinging lid 35 `01'1 its hinges by means of a handle 5d such as shown in FIG. 3. Such action removes rod 3@ from its bearing recesses 31 and provides access to spacial region or chamber 23 for the introduction of spent tubing on link chains 20. The plurality of slack link chains 2t) disposed in cavity 23 receive same in the form of a bundle, and after housing 36 is loaded therewith, lid 35 is swung to its closed position, as shown in FIG. 4.

The flexible fragmentizing means 20 embrace the tubing and hold same across actional edges 14 of ribs 11. Shaft 15 is rotated by means of wheel 18 thereby taking up or withdrawing slack in link chains towards the side of plane P opposing the side in which cavity 23 is located. As link chains 20 wind about rotating shaft 15, subsequent pressure exerted by the cooperative action of actional edges 14 on immediately adjacent ribs 11 and chain 20 fractures the tubing and fragmentizes same upon it being broken, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5. Small fragments result particularly in the even implosion on the tubing occurs, which is the usual case pertaining to fluorescent tubing. The power means 18 is stopped, and opening of lid 35 freely unwinds chains 20 from their wound dispositions about shaft 15 and device 1t) is once again ready for reloading.

Housing 36 is adapted to be mounted on a refuse container 55 by means of a peripheral ledge 56 constructed in sheet metal container 55 along the upper edges of its side and end walls 57. A plurality of connecting clips 58 is provided for housing 36 and container 55, the coupling elements of each clip being mounted on associated side walls of housing 36 and container 55 whereby a unitary apparatus results upon coupling thereof. AS shown in FIG. 4, container 55 may be removed from housing 36 by unlatching clips 58. It is now apparent that the entire unit is readily portable, and may be hand carried or mounted on a vehicle frame for transporting purposes.

FIG. 5 exemplifies the fragmentizati-on of tubing occurring between two immediately adjacent blades or ribs 11. Since the axes of rod 30 and shaft 15 are both to the side of geometrical plane P opposing the side of plane P in which cavity 23 is disposed, the tubing cannot Work itself upwardly towards lid 35 as slack of the chains is wound about shaft 15, although it is conceivable to mount the elevated xed point for the one end of each of link chains 20 to the underside of lid 35 in the side to plane P carrying cavity 23.

It should be understood that a plurality of exible means 20 may be disposed within any two immediately adjacent ribs 11 should it be desired. Also, exible means 20 is not necessarily limited to link chains, but cables, ropes, or the like, or other exible elements may be utilized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the patent statutes, the

principle of this invention has been explained and exemplified in a manner so that it can be readily practiced by those skilled in the art, such exemplification including what is considered to represent the best embodiment of the invention. However, it should be clearly understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and exemplified herein, by those skilled in the art, and having the benefit of this disclosure.

That which is claimed as patentably novel is:

l. A fragmentizing device for frangible material comprising in combination, a set of rigidly spaced ribs each having an actional edge thereon, flexible means disposed entirely between immediately adjacent ribs on said set, said flexible means including slack therein disposable in a spacial region opposing the actional edges of said ribs, a pair of xed spaced means, one elevated with respect to the other and to which the respective ends of said flexible means is securely attached, one of said means intersecting said immediately adjacent ribs, the one end of said flexible means adapted to be wound about a point on said one of said means whereby said `slack is withdrawn from said spacial region, whereby frangible material supported by said slack of said flexible means is drawn against the actional edges, the cooperative action of said edges and with-drawing slack of said flexible means breaking such material into fragments.

2. A mechanism for fragmentizing frangible material comprising in combination, at least one pair of spaced rigid ribs having actional edges thereon adapted to react against frangible material drawn thereacross, a exible means having slack therein and disposed entirely between said spaced ribs to cooperatively function with said actional edges whereby the frangible material is fragmentized, a rst means provided towards a lower portion of said pair of ribs, one end of said exible mean-s connected to said first means, a second means elevated in relation to said rst means, the other end of said flexible means connected to said second means, one of said means being capable of taking up slack in said flexible means, said rst and second means xedly associated with respect to said pair of ribs whereby upon the slack in said flexible means lbeing taken up by one of said means about frangible material `drawing same across said actional edges, the reactive force between said actional edges and exible means fragmentizes the frangible material.

3. A frangible tube fragmentizing device comprising a plurality of spaced ribs each having an actional edge thereon, a rotatable shaft mounted through and disposed in a lower portion of the length of said plurality of ribs, means in fixed relation to and between said actional edges and being elevated above said rotatable shaft, flexible means having `slack therein and connected between said rotatable shaft and said means in xed relation and between said actional edges, and means to rotate said rotatable shaft whereby the slack in said flexible means is wound about said shaft, whereby a frangible tube being supported on the slack of said flexible means and being drawn across said actional edges as such slack is taken up on the rotating shaft, such tube fragmentizes upon the cooperative relationship of said actional edges and tensed exible means reacting on the tube.

4. A frangible material fragmentizing device comprising a lset of spaced ribs each having an actional edge thereon, a rotatable shaft associated with said ribs and disposed substantially in a lower portion of said -ribs and extending along the length of said set of `spaced ribs, said shaft lying to one side of a plane formed by the actional edges of said ribs, means xed relative to said set of spaced ribs and elevated above said rotatable shaft, flexible means disposed between immediately adjacent ribs and connected to said rotatable shaft and said fixed means, said flexible means having slack disposable in a spacial region to the side of the plane opposite the side in which said shaft is disposed whereby frangible material is insertable between such slack and said actional edges, and means to rotate said shaft thereby withdrawing the slack from the spacial region, the frangible material being drawn across said actional edges that cooperate with said exible means to fragmentize same.

5. A device for fragmentizing fluorescent tubing comprising in combination, a housing, a set of spaced metal plates having actional edges rigidly secured in said housing, said edges lying in a geometrical plane, a cavity in said housing exposed to such geometrical plane and opposing said plates, a rotatable shaft mounted in, carried by, and extending the length of said set of plates, a nonrotatable rod mounted in, carried by, and extending the length of said set of plates, and elevated above said shaft, said plates providing for bearing support-s for said rod, flexible means disposed between immediately adjacent plates and having each of its ends securely connected one to said shaft and the other to said rod, said means having slack disposable into said cavity and adapted to embrace tubing therebetween and said actional edges, and means to rotate said shaft to remove slack `from the cavity to the other Iside of the geometrical plane whereby pressure is exerted upon the tubing Iby the cooperative action of said actional edges and flexible means thereby fragmentizing the tubing.

6. A fragmentizing device for frangible material comprising in combination, a set of ribs the faces of each parallelly spaced from each other, said ribs having actional edges thereon, a rigid frame for said set of ribs, a rotatable shaft extending the length of said set of ribs and disposed in parallel relation to suc-h length, bearing points mounted on said set of ribs at an elevation above said rotatable shaft, flexible means capable of co-acting with said actional edges to fragmentize frangible material, one end thereof being securely connected to said rotatable shaft, means mounted on said bearing points and to which the other end of said flexible means is securely connected, and means to rotate said shaft whereby said flexible means and actional edges cooperate to exert pressure on such material subsequently fragmentizing same, said means mounted on said bearing points lbeing stationarily supported thereby to maintain the one end of said exible means xed relative to the end of said flexible means winding on said shaft.

7. A fragmentizing apparatus for f'rangible material comprising in combination, a housing: including a top cover, a set of spaced ribs rigidly mounted in said housing, each of .said rib-s having an actional edge in line with the actional edge of an immediately adjacent rib, a cavity disposed in said housing in front of such line, a rotatable shaft mounted in the lower portion of said set of ribs and extending along the length thereof, a rigid rod extending along the length of and secured to the underside of said top cover, exible means having slack therein adapted to cooperate with the actional edges of said ribs to fragmentize frangible material, said means being disposed betwen immediately adjacent ribs, each of said flexible means having its one end secured to said rotatable shaft and its other end secured to a point on said rod, said ribs provided with aligned bearing recesses in their upper edges to receive said rod upon engaging said top cover to said housing, and means to rotate said shaft whereby the slack in said exible means is taken up on said shaft, whereby frangible material in said cavity is drawn across the actional edges of said set of spaced ribs, the one end of each of said flexible means connected to the said point on said rod remaining stationary to provide for cooperation between said actional edges and each of said llexible means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1908 Giseke 169-32 2/ 1940 Boedeker 241-99 X 

1. A FRAGMENTIZING DEVICE FOR FRANGIBLE MATERIAL COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A SET OF RIGIDLY SPACED RIBS EACH HAVING AN ACTIONAL EDGE THEREON, FLEXIBLE MEANS DISPOSED ENTIRELY BETWEEN IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT RIBS ON SAID SET, SAID FLEXIBLE MEANS INCLUDING SLACK THEREIN DISPOSABLE IN A SPACIAL REGION OPPOSING THE ACTION EDGES OF SAID RIBS, A PAIR OF FIXED SPACED MEANS, ONE ELEVATED WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER AND TO WHICH THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF SAID FLEXIBLE MEANS IS SECURELY ATTACHED, ONE OF SAID MEANS INTERSECTING SAID IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT RIBS, THE ONE END 